Pirate night/dinner

[lotofheart]

I read a lot of posts last night indicating that the Pirate Dinner is not very good (posters suggested Cabanas was better - although I think they serve the same menus as the MDR's each night) and the Pirate Night is too crowded, over rated and should be avoided.

Is this a minority view that just seemed popular based on the posts I was reading, or is there really a reason to avoid the dinner and festivities that night? We have a very early morning the next day (excursion to see the dolphins starts at 7:30!) and my girls are 10, so if its a bust, I'd rather have them in bed (although we already have costumes)

 

[Dug720]

Personally I don't know what people don't like about the Pirate Night menu - it is my favorite, and I would eat it every night over the Enchanted Garden menu, which to me is horrible and very limited.

I don't know if it's the majority view of ALL cruisers that it should be avoided, but it is a popular one on here - although, people on this board are a teeny tiny percentage of those who cruise, so keep that in mind.

As far as the festivities, I've never gone to the post fireworks buffet or dance party, but I do like the fireworks and the show leading up to them.

 

[TLovesDisney]

I like Pirate Night. For our last cruise my sister and I dressed up. We like the food at dinner. The pot stickers for an app are really good and the seafood pasta is good. I had also read on here that some people dont like Pirate Night but we found it fun.

 

[momtoleasawav]

my favorite menu is the pirate menu, pot stickers and pineapple appetizer so good. And I loved the dinners! Pirate night is crowded. Get there early if you want to see the show, we usually stand upstairs on the railing. Last time we went we skipped the show and just watched the fireworks. If it is your first time going I would see the show.

 

[holula]

I don't like the pirate night menu, and it gets dull after nine cruises with the same menu. We always dine in Palo that night. The fireworks can get crazy busy but if you don't need/want to see the show you want watch them (at least on the Magic and Wonder) in front of the aft elevators on deck 10.

 

[Pens Fan]

We love pirate night! I don't think the food is any better or worse than any other night. My son loves the melon soup. He looks forward to it each cruise.

As for the show, we usually skip it now as our son is older (16), but he certainly loved it when he was younger. I feel it's one of those things you should try at least once, especially with a younger child.

I may be an old softy, but I still get choked up during the fireworks. I wouldn't miss it. You don't have to be stuck in the middle of the crowds. Find a spot on one of the upper decks and enjoy! It makes for a quick getaway after they are over. We skip the after party and buffet. There is only so much food you can eat!!

 

[professorandmom]

In my opinion, Pirate Night: dinner and the party are great - once...or twice...but then the magic has worn off a bit...but yes, it should be experienced once at least

Many posters have cruised so many times that it may seem like the event isn't super...

I think it is like comparing the stage shows, after 5 or ten viewings, perhaps they aren't as fantastic as the first time or two

Barb

 

[Justacruiser]

Every evening while you are on the cruise you have a different menu. Some menus are better than others IMHO. My recommendation is that if you enjoy dressing up or child will dress up in costume, go to the MDR. You will see a lot of folks decked out. If you aren't dress up folks, you might opt for Cabana's or enjoy deck quick service or even room service. Plenty of options. You can ask your service team to see the next nights menu anytime. You can even ask to see that menu on the first or second time to review. Often I have ordered off menu for that night. Just let your service team know the night before what you desire and they will make it happen. For example, sometimes we will request T-bone steaks for that night. They always accomodate when did the night before.

Hope this helps.

 

[fnrsgrl]

The pirate menu is my husband's and my favorite, and we enjoy the shows, too. Basically, if you enjoy the Sail Away show, then you should enjoy the first pirate show, which is slightly better. The second show with the fireworks is a little harder to see, because it's just incredibly crowded up there. Neither show is spectacular, but they're definitely worth seeing once.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm also in the camp of "I like the Pirate menu". I guess that it can get old after a number of cruises, but, really, wouldn't all the other menus also get old then? We've not gotten tired of any of them.

We still dress in pirate gear and see most of the shows (if we can find a decent viewing spot basically last minute). We don't take up space early just to wait. Still watch the fireworks, and visit the buffet (sometimes just for dessert).

 

[sambycat]

have you been on the cruises before? i would honestly not recommend missing one of their main, included, solely DCL "events" based on recommendation in this case. there is so much to do and so much to see, many late nights! go to the MDRs yourself - see what you think! is it my favorite night? not anymore - because i've been on 8 cruises!

 

[Dug720]

I'm also in the camp of "I like the Pirate menu". I guess that it can get old after a number of cruises, but, really, wouldn't all the other menus also get old then? We've not gotten tired of any of them.

We still dress in pirate gear and see most of the shows (if we can find a decent viewing spot basically last minute). We don't take up space early just to wait. Still watch the fireworks, and visit the buffet (sometimes just for dessert).

EXACTLY!! I don't see how people can fuss about the Pirate Night menu being the same cruise after cruise when the other menus are the same cruise after cruise. And even if you're on different ships, there are similarities - especially with the Dream and Fantasy. It doesn't make sense to me.

 

[princesspwrhr]

I read a lot of posts last night indicating that the Pirate Dinner is not very good (posters suggested Cabanas was better - although I think they serve the same menus as the MDR's each night) and the Pirate Night is too crowded, over rated and should be avoided.

Is this a minority view that just seemed popular based on the posts I was reading, or is there really a reason to avoid the dinner and festivities that night? We have a very early morning the next day (excursion to see the dolphins starts at 7:30!) and my girls are 10, so if its a bust, I'd rather have them in bed (although we already have costumes)

It may depend on what you are used to at home and are looking for on the cruise. We absolutely LOVE the pirate menu, and struggle to find something we like on some of the other menus. We were disappointed that we couldn't get items from the pirate menu other nights, my 10 year olds would eat the pineapple, melon "soup" and Mahi Mahi all week.. There's always the standard "lighter side" menus of chicken, salmon, steak or a themed salad, (and the redundant kids menu) but that does get old.

You can look up the menus ahead of time online to get an idea of what will be served.

We did the deck party last time and my teens thought it was - hmm well they enjoyed it, but thought it was a little corny. My 10 year olds- one thought it was too crowded and ended up going back to the room and watching fireworks from our verandah with one of the teens, and the other enjoyed it. They all liked meeting Jack Sparrow, dressing up and acting goofy though.

 

[chicagolaw]

We love pirate night. It is one of our favorite nights on the ship. The show, fireworks and dance party are so fun.

 

[glxmas0629]

WE also loved Pirate night!! It was our Favorite night!!

 

[bryresangel]

We also enjoy Pirate Night. Our DD was 10 and she loved it. Of course our family likes pirates in general, so that really helps. If you haven't been before, I would recommend it. That being said, it is VERY crowded, with people sometimes getting an attitude about "their" spots. But all in all very enjoyable. We were up on the deck surrounding the stage on the Dream, and that seemed to be less crowded.

I think as with most things, you hear more complaints than praise, so it makes sense you will here more AGAINST it than for it.

 

[lbgraves]

I also enjoy the seafood pasta and loved the cheesecake that they used to have on the dessert menu. I mentioned that I was sorry to see it gone on our last cruise and our server mentioned it to someone. We had it the next night!

 

[EuropeOrBust]

Does anyone have a link to the pirate night menu? I'm just curious as my DS wants to go but we have some food allergies etc.

 

[missyp]

Does anyone have a link to the pirate night menu? I'm just curious as my DS wants to go but we have some food allergies etc.

These are older but from what I can see it hasn't changed much http://disneycruiselineblog.com/menus/pirates-caribbean-dinner-menu/